Tuesday, October 18, 2016
Dr. Joe Perez was a mentor of mine for over 20 years. As I was finishing graduate school at Penn State , Dr. Perez stepped in during my final few months in State college after the sudden demise of Dr. Elmer Klaus to shepherd and guide , " the slippery bunch " as he called the tribology graduate students . Over the years he kept the tribology graduate program in Chemical engineering at the Petroleum research laboratory ( PRL ) going, often single handedly, but always with a smile and useful advice for current and past graduate students.
I have fond memories of talking to him over the phone often, meeting him at various conferences and as his health took a toll for the worse, learning from him about strength and grace and how to tackle every challenge as it comes along. I last met him this past May ( just a few months back ) in Las Vegas at STLE conference, where Dr. Perez a very well known entity at such a meeting took the time to attend papers, meet former students and colleagues and continue to inspire everyone he spoke to and spend time with. He was a bastion of knowledge, perennially helpful to his students and colleagues, never seeking the spotlight, but always there when one needed him.
On behalf of "the slippery bunch", I would like to say that today with his passing away, the world has lost a renowned hands on tribologist, with exceptional knowledge and experience and we have lost a wonderful mentor and colleague. My sincere condolences to the entire family. We will miss you, Joe
Raj Shah
Graduate Class of 1995, Penn State
